Soccer star critical after staph infection leads to massive stroke

A Webber International University freshman and former Winter Haven soccer star is fighting for her life after a growth on a heart valve created by a staph infection broke away, traveled to her brain and caused a massive stroke.

Bailee Kent, 18, is in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital. The bacteria that infected her heart valve broke off and traveled in her blood stream to her brain before doctors could operate on her heart. Kent now needs a new heart valve and could be forced to undergo brain surgery.

A Facebook page called “TeamBK6” has been created, with more than 1,400 member joining to offer support and encouragement to Kent and her family. more

Wildcats Open Training

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The first official training session for the women’s soccer team was comprised of an 11-v-11 intra-squad scrimmage Tuesday afternoon on West Campus, where the 2011 squad came together on the field for the first time. The first half of the scrimmage featured the returning players to the team competing against the group of newcomers to this year’s roster. The two groups were then mixed up for the second half of the game. more

Terrones provided offense

SEBRING - When Lake Placid forward Yuribia Terrones was on the move with the ball, good things usually happened for the Green Dragons girls soccer squad.
Terrones, a four-year varsity starter, scored a team- and county-high 30 goals this past season and broke the Lake Placid school record with 70 goals in her stellar high school career.
Terrones, who also had 15 assists, would have scored more goals in her final year on the pitch, but was moved to midfielder to help out the Lake Placid defense on numerous occasions.
"Yuribia was a captain and team player and would do whatever it took to help us," said Green Dragon girls soccer coach John Merlo. "She would have scored a bunch more goals if we hadn't of moved her, but she just wanted to help us win. more

All-Space Coast girls soccer first team

All-Space Coast girls soccer first team

Eagles Shutout Miami to Remain Undefeated in Spring Season

FORT MYERS, Fla. – This weekend was a success for the FGCU women’s soccer team, on the field and in the community. The second annual spring event started with nearly 250 girls participating in a clinic at 4:00pm, and a game at 6:00pm. The collaboration of FGCU and Miami players created an exciting learning environment.
“We appreciate Miami coming down and being involved with this great opportunity to reach out to our community and promote women’s soccer,” said FGCU head coach Jim Blankenship. “They added a great deal to the experience for each young player in attendance. I’m very proud of our kids for taking the time to reach out in the community with nightly clinics for the past two weeks; they are great role models for women’s soccer and our FGCU program." more

Lions Announce New Signings for 2010

SAINT LEO, Fla. - Saint Leo University head women’s soccer coach Ged O’Connor has announced the addition of five new players for the 2010 season as they submitted National Letters of Intent committing to attend SLU during the last signing period. One tranfer and four incoming freshmen, the additions include one goalkeeper, two forwards, one midfielder, and one defender who will add to an already deep, talented and experienced squad.
Despite a 2009 season full of challenges, O’Connor guided the Lions to a 9-6 season and another finish in the top-half of the Sunshine State Conference. A program beginning to be recognized in Division II as one of success despite a rocky start over 10 years ago, the Lions earned their fourth consecutive berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament last fall. During the 2009 campaign Saint Leo also advanced to the SSC Tournament Semifinal. more

Barron Collier junior draws interest of Olympic Development Program

NAPLES — After Barron Collier junior Jen Martin helped lead the Cougars to a home regional semifinal win against Fort Myers in January, BC coach Ray Morgan huddled the team together. After his postgame talk, he asked Martin if she had anything to say to her teammates.

Humbly, Martin informed them that she would be playing with a regional group of players her age in a series of Olympic Development Program international friendlies held in Costa Rica between April 5-12.
The ODP selects America’s best young soccer players through a series of domestic regional tournaments, groups them by age and develops them to potentially become players on future national teams. more